The path forked, and they continued out of the roughly categorized residential area, into what Valerie had once called ‘the wilderness’. She punched Reza playfully in the arm and said, “There doesn’t need to be treasure to hunt for it. Come on, when was the last time you just went exploring?”

The question brought the little girl and her alien game to mind. Reza’s mouth twitched into a crooked smile. “A while ago, I guess. When I actually called it exploring, anyway. You must be really cooped up.”